Wheeled earth scraper



Sept. 22,. 1925.

J. M. BROOKS WHEELED EARTH SCRAPER 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed June 6. 1925 Sept. 22, 1925.

J. M. BROOKS WHSELED' EARTH SCRAPER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1925 Sept. 22, 1925,

I .J: M- BRQOKS .wfiman EARTH S-CRAPER 3 shelats sheet 5 Filad J1me 1925 Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,554,733 PAL-TENT orFi E. 1

- JAMES M. BRooKsor ATLANTA, JGEOBGIA.

\ WHEELED EARTH soRArnRQ To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs M. BRooKs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Atlanta, county of Fulton, and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vheeled Earth Scrapers, of which the following is a full and clear specification.

The object of this invention is to simplify the construction of this class of machines, so thatthey will be cheaper to build, less expensive to repair and keep in good working order, greatly more durable and easier to operate both as to loading and dumping.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a side elevation with the near wheels removed, the scoop being raisedfrom the ground in position for transportation, loaded or unloaded;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing 3 wheels 11, and secured to the vertical arms of said axle, adjacent their lower ends, is a U-shaped dump-frame 12 whose ends 13 project beyond and in front of vertical arms of the arched axle. This dump-frame 12 is rigidly supported at its rear side by a handle 14: which is secured to said frame by braces 15, and Whose front end 16 is curved upwardly and forwardly from the rear side of the frame to the top side of the arched axle where it is rigidly secured in position by the U-bolt 17, said front end 16 forming a brace member for the frame, whereby the frame and the arched axle can be tilted up and down by operating the handle 14, the

wheel-spindles 18 forming the pivots for the arched axle. P

Pivotally suspended from the free ends of the frame at 18 by the hanger bars 19 is the scoop or scraper 20, said bars being rigidly secured to the scoop in any suitable manner at a point forward of the vertical center of the scoop, so that, when the scoop is loaded, the preponderan e 9'1 Weight be in the Application filed June a, 1925.- Se ial No. 35,325.

thereto.

back end of the, scoop,said back being supported in loaded position by a'latchmember 21 pivoted to the arm 16 slightly to the rear of the rear side of the frame 12. This latch-member is provided with asuitable'hook 22 at its lower end, which is adapted to engage a keeper 23rigidly secured to the rear wall of the scoop, while the latch-member is held in engagement'with the keeper by. a spring 2 1. a

At the front edge of the S00 atboth sides thereof, are secured the hooks 25, said "hooks-being openjattheir under; sides and adapted to be engaged by thedrag-hooks26 in certain positions of the scoopa These drag hooks 26 are rigidly secured to the sides of the drag-bars 27 the rear ends of which are pivotally connected at 28 to a frame secured to the axle at points between the arched axle and the pivotal points 18 of the bars 19. The front ends of the drag-bars 27 are inclined toward each other and are secured to the tongue 34:, the rear end of which engage over a transversebar 29 which has its ends supported upon the drag-bars 27 and secured thereto brackets? 30 e Fig.

. It has beenfound by practieal experience that under severe strainsofinequal pulling upon the sides of the scoop, due to the twisting of the dragging members attached to the l scoop, the front edges of the sides of the scoopbecome distorted, thus causing unequal loading of the scoop and breaking down of the sidesatthese front edges. To 'remedy this defect, a pairof adjustable truss inemv bers 31 is provided, thesamejbeing secured to the drag-bars 27 by suitable bolts, and

said members31 are extended inwardly and upwardly from said drag bars and pass over the tongue 34. ,Thus'iit will belseen that the draft-frame, comprising the" drag-bars 27 transverse bar 29 and tongue 34, is bound together and maintained rigid and prevented from twisting by the truss-members 31 and the other described connectingmeansf The ends of the dump-frame 12 are secured to the axle '10 by'the bolts 33" which pass through back-plates 34;, and outer plates 36 which cover the/outer sidesof the portion of the frame 12 lying adjacent These outer plates 36 project beyond the front sides of the "axle to a point adjacent the pivotal pointsof the hangerbars 19, and adjacent to the rear edges of each of he e P ates 555. is p a s e r .-pivotal point 28 has been moved slightly -below-the plane of thepivotal point 18, the

the frame 12, is secured a supporting arm 38 which is slightly bowed outwardly, and between the front end thereof and the plate 36 is pivoted the rear end of the drag-bar 27. These arms 38 on both sides of the scraper are bowed outwardly a sufficient distance to provide a clearance for the dragbars 27 in the operation of raising'and lowering the bucket or scoop, and a spacing-washer 39 is used around the pivotbolt .28 to maintain the drag-bars 27 free from contact with the outer side of the hanger-bars 19. Stops 40 are secured 'to the outer sides of "the scoop in position to contact with the under sides of the drag-bars 27 when the scoop "is raised td the carrying position.

In operation, assuming the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, the scoop being empty, the front end of the scoop is lowered to scraping position by the attendant walking behind the scoop by releasing the latch-member 21 from engagement with the keeper 23, andlifting the handle 14 to turn the arched axle 10 forwardly and downwardly. This movement throws the scoop forwardly so that its hooks 2-5 engage the drag-hooks 26; thus portion of the draft is transferred directly to the front end of the scoop. At the same time, the attendant at the rear grasps the scoop-handle 55 and elevates the rear end of the scoop to cause he front lip or point of pan [to bite the earth, as shown in the Fig 2 position.

After a sufficient load has been scraped into the scoop, the attendant grasps the handle 14 and starts to pull down thereof, whereupon the pivotal points of the scoophangers 19 rise slightly above the. pivotal points of the drag-bars 27', and then the draft animals which sare pulling during this portion of the operation not only pull the load through the engagement of the drag-hooks25 and 26,-but also pull upon the axle through the drag-bars 27., and, as the pivotal/point 18" of the :aXle and the wheels are drawn forwardly and tilt the arched port on of the axle .backwardly, thereby lifting the scoop from the ground and separating, the hooksa25 and 26. In the meanwhile, the attendant is also pulling down on the handle 14, and, when the scoop is raised to the position shown in Fig. 1, the. hook of the latch 21 automatically engages the keepera23 and thus retains the scoop in the elevated position; p v

Itwillut'hus be seen that the draft power almost entirely lifts the loaded scoop to the carryingposition, thereby relieving the attendant of this burden.

After the, load hasreached the dumping ground, the attendant throws the handle 14 upwardly with the latch 2223 engaged,

thus lowering the front end of thescoop to the ground. At this time the pivotal points 18 having been lowered with respect to pivotal points 28, due to the dropping of the scoop, the draft power pulls the axle and wheels over and beyond the pivotal points 18, which are substantially stationary owing to the contact of the lip of the scoop with the ground, and, consequently, the rear end of the scoop is lifted and carried over the point of contact of the scoop-lip with the ground, and the load is dumped. In this manner, the draft power dumps the load, and the leverage of the draft with re spectto the bucket is such that the dumping operation is easily accomplished with at least one-half the animal power heretofore used,

In the scraping position, to prevent acci dental tipping of the scoop and disengage ment of the drag-hook 26, a safety-hook 47 is provided whose hook portion is turned in an opposite direction from the hook26, and

50, the same being pivoted at its front end to the arm 48 and having its, rear end slightlye supported by a loop 51 pivotally fixed to the frame 12, said operating-rod being provided with a projecting lug 52 which is adapted to pass through and engage the.

rear side of the scoop '51 when it is desired to lock the safety-hooks free from engagement with the drag-hooks, especially during the dumping operation. These safetyhooks are only required on one side of the scraper. p p

i A chain 53 is provided for regulating the height of the throw of the frame 12 which carries the handle 14 during the scraping operation. This chain is provided with a ring 54 adapted to engage over one of the scoop-handles 55, and the links at its free end are adapted to adjustably engage in a I hook-plate 56 fixed to the frame 12, whereby the chain may be adjusted in length.

The-plate 36 is formed with a horizontal portion 57 which overlies the ends 56 of the axle and is secured in place by the bolts 58 which pass through said portion 57 and down. alongside the ends 56 of the axle and alsothrough a bottom-plate 59.

To the upper side of the portion 57 of the plate 36 is preferably secured an angular plate,6O which is secured in place by the bolts 58, and to the vertical member of this angular plate 60 is secured a san'd-band 61 which surrounds the hub on its inner side.

As a further strengthening means for the draft elements and to prevent twisting and distorting of the parts subjected to the greatest strains, supplemental braces 62 are provided. These braces 62 are, secured at one end to the drag-bars 27 by the bolts 63' and from this connection extend inwardly and upwardly and have their other ends connected to the sides of the tongue by the bolts 64. l

Drag-bars 27 are preferably reinforced by straps 27 which extend the greater part of their length and aresecured at their ends thereto. These straps 27 are. spaced from the drag-bars 27 for a portion of their length and in these spaces lie the upper ends of the hooks 48 and 26. Bolts 63 which secure the ends of braces 62 to the bars 27 extend to the outside of the straps, and the ends of the truss-members 31 pass through the bars 27, the upper ends of the hooks 26 and the straps 27 and are secured in position by the nuts 31 on the outside of the straps 27. It will be observed that the center portions of the trussanembers 31 are formed with chains to provide a flexibility to permit the ends of the trusses to he withdrawn from the drag-bars 27 and their reinforcing straps 27', so that the hooks 26 can be removed for repairing or replacement. It will be observed that the pivots 18 and 28 are in different vertical planes in order that they may pass each other in the manner above described.

For nearly all purposes, the upper safetyhook 49 is all that is necessary, but Without the use of the lower safety-hook 47, the scraper would be prematurely dumped in the event the cutting-edge of the scraper should rest against a solid obstruction like a stump or rock when the handle 14 is pulled down to bodily lift the load.

hat I claim is:

1. In an earth-scraper, an arch-ed axle and wheels, a dump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, said clump-frame having extensions forward of the axle, a scoop pivotally sus pended from the front end of said frame extensions, a draft-fra1ne having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle at a point to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, and cooperating hooks on said draft-frame and scoop adapted to engage with each other in the loading position of the scoop.

2. In an earth-scraper, an arched axle and wheels, a dump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions, a draft-frame having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle at a point to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, and. cooperatinghooks on said draft-.frameand scoop adapted-to engage with each other in the loading position of the scoop. V

3. In an earth-scraper, an arched axle and wheels, a dump frame rigidly secured to said axle adjacent its wheel-spindles and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions,a draft-frame having its rear ends pivotally attached to the axle in a manner to cause its pivotal connections to lie below theplane of the pivotal connections of the scoop in. load-carrying position and as the scoop, is raised toward dumping position to move to a plane above the scoop connections, and

cooperating hooks on said draft-frame and scoop adapted to engage with each'other' in the loading position of the scoop.

at. In an earth-scraper, an arched axle and wheels, a dump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions, means for latching said dumpframe and scoop together, a draft-frame having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle at a point to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, and cooperating hooks on said draft-frame and scoop adapted to engage with each other in the loading position of the scoop.

5. In an earth-scraper, an arched axle and wheels, a dump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions, a draft-frame having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, cooperating hooks on said draft-frame and scoop adapted to engage with each other in the loading position of the scoop, and a safety-hook pivoted to said draft-frame adapted to engage the hook on the scoop to prevent accidental tilting of the scoop when being carried in a loaded position.

6. In an earth-scraper, an arched axle and wheels, a clump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions, a draftframe having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, cooperating hooks on said draftframe and scoop adapted to engage with each other in the loading position of the scoop, and a pair of safety hooks pivoted to said draft-frame and successively adapt ed to engage the hook on the scoop to prevent theaccidental tilting of the scoop in either carrying or loaded position.

7. In an earthscraper, an arched axleand Wheels, a clump-frame rigidly secured to said axle and extending rearwardly therefrom, extensions projecting in front of the axle-adjacent its vertical arms, a scoop pivotally suspended from the front end of said extensions, a draft-frame having its rear ends pivotally attached to said axle to the rear of the scoop connections therewith, cooperating hooks on said drafft-frame and scoop adapted to engage With each other in the loading position of the scoop, a pair of safety-hooks pivoted to said draftirame and successivelyadapted to engage the hook on the scoop to prevent the accidental tilting of'the scoop in either'carrying or loaded position, and a locking control handle for said safety-hooks.

8. In anearth-scraper, an axle and Wheels supporting the same, adump-franie secured to said axle, a scoop pivotally supported by the dump-frame, a draft-frame pivotally secured 'to the axle, the pivotal points of said scoop and drag-frame being arranged in different vertical planes and so positioned as to change their horizontal planes with respect to each other and alternately one above the other when the dump-frame is manipulated to tilt the axle back and forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JAMES M. BROOKS." 

